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The economic viability of animal husbandry depends on the genetic potential for production, good health
care, balanced feeding of animals and efficient marketing of the produce. Since genetic improvement and
health care are important for sustainability, whereas efficient feeding and marketing will help in
increasing the profitability. However, the profitability is directly dependent on the sources of feed and
fodder, as about 65-70% of the total cost of livestock farming is attributed to feeding. Any saving in feed
and fodder cost would directly contribute to increase in profitability. Balanced feeding of animals is
more critical, as the results are reflected within a short span, almost immediately, in the form of milk and
meat production. Hence feeding of animals has greater significance for livestock holders. Therefore
suitable feeding system should be developed with the local feed resources with supplement of nutrient so
as to achieve optimum production. Keeping this in view the present investigation was carried out.
Here some common well adapted fodder species (Cenchrus ciliaris, Cenchrus setigerus, Lasiurus
Sindicus, and Penniesetum Typhoideum) were taken from Jodhpur district of Rajasthan for their
elemental ratio investigation..
All the Minerals such as Ca, Mg, and K, were found adequate to meet the NRC requirements, whereas S
and P were found near critical level. Mineral ratio such as C/N, C/P, N/P, N/S, and Ca/P, of plant
samples were found between 29.16 – 40.67, 168-222.63, 4.78-5.76, 4.22-7.2 and 3.56-5.79(% DM)
respectively. Grass Tetany ratio K/(Ca+Mg) was ranged between 0.27 to 0.40 on miliequivalent basis.
Keywords: Mineral Imbalance, Palatability, Digestibility, Grass Tetany, Elemental Stoichiometry.